THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP084
Caupona of the Sign of Africa (I. xii. 5)
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Altar, Niche
Associated
Cult Spaces:
-
Room function:
Viridarium/Garden
Description:
Located in the east wall of the rear garden was a shrine comprised of a large arched niche underneath a staircase. The interior was plastered with stucco and painted red, yellow, and blue, with the ceiling decorated with red and blue spots. A red border outlined the opening of the niche as well as the different sections of decoration within the niche. On the sides of the niche, garlands with taeniae were painted. Further garlands were painted above these on the curve of the ceiling. On the left interior wall was a large female head crowned with a floral chaplet. A small stucco-decorated stone podium was placed at the bottom of the niche, with another larger podium present in front of the niche. One of these likely served as a podium for a statue while the other was an altar.
References:
Ruddell 1964, pp. 79-80; Orr 1972, pp. 156-157 (#18); Wallace-Hadrill 1994, p. 196
Image reference:
Durand 2018 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)